Six puppies stolen from a pregnant woman at knifepoint have died, but two of the litter have survived.

The day-old French Bulldog puppies stolen in an armed burglary at a house in Trafford on Tuesday have been found – but six of them are reported to have died.

The remaining two have been reunited with their mother but there are concerns for their welfare.

The puppies were handed into a vet who gave emergency treatment to the surviving puppies.

Police are searching for two men, armed with knives, who forced their way into a house in Alpha Road in Stretford just before 10 pm on Tuesday. They threatened a 26-year-old pregnant woman and stole the puppies..

The day-old French Bulldog puppies,

Police have released CCTV footage of the men they want to trace.

Detective Sergeant Dave Jones of GMP’s Trafford Borough, said: “It’s completely shocking that a pregnant woman and her three young children have faced such a terrifying ordeal, and we are determined to find the men responsible.

“I need anyone with information about the men responsible, to please contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7747 quoting reference number 2218 of 24/10/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.